Explore the northernmost and most fascinating state of Mexico on this Mexico rental car tour. Discover the bizarre landscape created by the heat and sea. Hike through barren cactus forests, stroll along picturesque beaches and explore mystical caves and rugged mountain ranges. You travel from Tijuana to southern Baja California and discover the fascinating landscapes, beautiful villages and exotic animals. Let yourself be surprised and enchanted by this unique region of Mexico!
Upon your arrival in Tijuana, please pick up your luggage and go directly to the rental car desk where you will pick up your vehicle. With the keys in your hand, you are off on your adventure through Baja California. Explore Tijuana before heading to Ensenada along the beautiful Baja California coast. Let yourself be impressed by the beautiful landscapes and the wonderful tranquility. Overnight stay. (Meals: none)
Distance: approx. 115 km | Total driving time: approx. 1 1/2 hours
Enjoy a free day exploring the wineries and world class restaurants located in Valle de Guadalupe. Ask us for our recommendations. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Today, stop at the impressive tidal waterhole called “La Bufadora” just outside of Ensenada. A combination of the waves with the shape of the rocks causes a 30 m high spray of water to shoot out of the rock at regular intervals, cooling off any observers in the region. According to the legend, a young whale was once stuck here between the rocks, which repeatedly called out water fountains for help until it turned itself into stone. Afterwards, continue to the small seaside town of San Quintín. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 225 km | Total driving time: approx. 3 1/2 hours
Today, explore the small fishing village of San Quintín. If you like outdoor activities you can rent a kayak, snorkel off the San Martín Island in crystal clear water or visit Punta San Carlos where you can surf or kiteboard. The Old Mill (Molino Viejo) is a famous launch point for anglers and there are numerous species such as yellowfin tuna, dorado and sea bass to keep any fishing enthusiast busy. Relax on the beach and enjoy fresh caught clams from the region before continuing to Cataviña. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 190 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 1/2 hours
Begin the day exploring the stunning landscape around Cataviña. Massive pink granite rock has been shaped by wind erosion, 15 m high cacti tower over you and the endemic species of Idrias and blue palm are overwhelmingly beautiful. Stop at the cave paintings found in abandoned caves throughout the area. Afterwards, continue to Guerrero Negro. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 240 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 hours
Today, enjoy a spectacular whale watching adventure. During the whale watching season (December to March) stop at the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon which is located in the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve for a boat tour (not included). During their migration the gentle grey whales come to the protected waters of the lagoon to have their babies. Every season over 2,000 grey whales gather in the lagoon and it is an unforgettable experience to witness. The whales are quite friendly and come close enough to the boats to touch.
Outside of the whale season, stop at the salt flats located just outside Guerrero Negro where the largest salt making facility on the planet is located. The salt here is not mined, but extracted from ocean water by evaporation. The salt fields cover 33,000 hectares. Afterwards, continue to the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. The animals and plants of this territory have adapted themselves to the region’s extreme desert conditions with little rainfall, intense winds and an ecosystem which has produced thousands of endemic species of plants and animal life found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy the scenery of this stark landscape on your drive to San Ignacio. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 150 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 hours
After breakfast you make your way to the beautiful mountain scenery of the Sierra San Francisco. Here you will visit the impressive rock carvings that the many rocky outcrops and caves have to offer and which probably represent religious rites, hunting rituals and acts of war. Taken all together, these paintings form the most important prehistoric rock painting complex on the entire American continent and as such were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Since the rock paintings are in good condition, they provide a fascinating insight into the way of life and beliefs of a millennia-old society. Explore the Cueva Ratón with its interesting rock carvings, which are located high up in the Sierra and offer you a fantastic view of the beautiful rugged canyon landscape and the coastal plain. This region is also the only place in southern Baja California where you can find certain plant species that are emblematic of the Bajas flora. After this impressive and interesting day trip, you will return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
In the morning drive to the former mining town of Santa Rosalía and visit the famous steel church of Santa Barbara built by Gustave Eiffel. Unlike many other mining sites, the industrial facilities which are located in the very middle of the town, were never dismantled. There are still old locomotives, mining equipment and machinery visible everywhere. Continue to the Mulegé oasis which is one of the most beautiful cities in Baja California. Stop at the Franciscan Mission built in 1705 and enjoy the spectacular view of desert palms and cacti surrounding the oasis. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 140 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 hours
Today, head to Loreto and enjoy a quiet morning discovering the oldest city in Baja California. It was founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, who found a steady spring of fresh water on this site. Today, this beautiful destination carries you deep into a Mexico of legends and colonial splendor. Visit the historical center of the first Spanish settlement and the many Missions located in the region. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 135 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 1/2 hours
Today, enjoy a boat trip off the coast of Loreto. Make your way to the Desert & Sea tour office where you will meet up with your guide and group and be taken to the pier where you will board the boat for todays tour. In these waters you can observe dolphins, playful sea lions and in the winter months enormous blue whales migrate to this region. The boat trip takes you to the Isla Coronado which on one side has rugged rocky cliffs inhabited by sea lion colonies and on the other side a beautiful white sandy beach with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Relax on the beach in the warm Mexican sun and observe the sea lions as they swim along the crashing waves. Afterwards return to the mainland and make your way back to your hotel. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Take the opportunity to do one of the many outdoor activities on offer, such as kayaking or diving trips, hiking or horse riding in Loreto. In the afternoon you continue to La Paz. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 320 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 1/2 hours
During whale season (December – March) we recommend to go Adolfo Lopez Mateos and the Bahía Magdalena lagoon famous for its large population of migrating gray whales. Here you will recieve a short information session about these gentle giants before boarding the boat for today´s tour. Head out into the lagoon with your guide and enjoy a 2 hour boat ride in search of the majestic gray whales found in this region.
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the docks in La Paz, where you will enjoy an exciting boat trip to the National Park Espíritu Santo Archipelago. This desert island complex is a must see in the Gulf of California. On this trip you have the opportunity to observe a variety of sea birds, including the famous blue footed booby, pelicans, cormorants and egrets. The waters around the island can surprise visitors with groups of dolphins, playful sea lions and with a little luck even whales. The highlight of today’s trip is the chance to snorkel or swim with the sea lions. After the boat trip relax for a picnic (lunch included) on one of the beautiful and isolated beaches of the islands. In the evening you will be brought back to your hotel in La Paz. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel & lunch on the tour)
This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on an extraordinary tour that takes you into the waters of La Paz Bay. Here you will find a very special adventure where you can get close to the famous whale sharks. These animals, up to 14 meters long, are actually the largest known fish, and despite their formidable size they are absolutely harmless to humans and very gentle. After a short introduction about the animals and the local ecosystem, the whale shark observation begins. Here you have the opportunity to snorkel and get up close to these curious animals. If you are lucky, you will even see dolphins and sea lions. Afterwards, you will be returned to the mainland and can use the rest of the day to explore La Paz on your own. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
National Park Permit Fee – 7 USD (not inlcuded)
Snorkeling equipment (not included)
This tour is only during the whale shark season from October to March. Since nature is not predictable, we do not provide any guarantee that whale sharks can be spotted. If the trip can not take place due to bad weather conditions, a replacement date will be offered.
In the morning you set off for Todos Santos, which is known for its colonial charm and artistic creativity. The small village of Todos Santos was founded as a Jesuit mission center in 1730 and is located in a fertile oasis near the Pacific coast. During the colonial era, due to the availability of fresh water from the nearby Sierra de la Laguna and thanks to the cooler and wetter Pacific climate, many subtropical crops such as sugar cane, mango and cotton were successfully grown. The sugar cane industry, in particular, flourished and created a considerable fortune, which is still reflected in the magnificent houses around the main square. Even today, Todos Santos is still a quiet subtropical oasis near the sea, and that is probably why it has attracted a significant number of both Mexican and foreign artists who offer their work to visitors. Last but not least, Todos Santos houses the famous “Hotel California”, which is associated with the famous eponymous Eagles song. Then continue to the Los Cabos bathing paradise, where you can relax on the beach for the last few days. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 160 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 hours
Enjoy your last day in the paradise of Baja California on the beach or with various outdoor activities and review the trip in the evening with a tasty cocktail on the beach. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
It is time to say “Adiós” to this beautiful, colourful and friendly country with its welcoming people. We hope you had a wonderful trip and we look forward to welcoming you back! After breakfast, drive to the airport in Los Cabos to return your rental car. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
– Pick up: Airport Tijuana
– Drop off: Airport Los Cabos
– Unlimited mileage
– Taxes
– Full insurance
– A/C